Resurrection 37

Resurrection

Part 37

Posted: January 26, 2007
Title: Resurrection
Author: Larien Elengasse

Summary: Thranduil and Lindir grow closer, Erestor and Glorfindel take a big step.

*****

Thranduil led Lindir deep into the trees, and then guided his minstrel to lean back against a broad trunk. He caressed Lindir's cheek with the back of his ringed hand and leaned in closely. "I have wanted to kiss you since I first saw you, long ago. I have always imagined that your lips would be soft and taste like peaches."

Lindir blinked slowly then gazed with heavy-lidded eyes into Thranduil's own. "Then kiss me and find out, my lord," he murmured, parting his lips as Thranduil leaned in further for a kiss. A small moan escaped him as their lips met. They had fallen back into friendship easily, as if they had never been parted, and now they moved ever forward, learning to know one another on this new plane. The kiss was brief, almost chaste but for the underlying passion that they both felt. Lindir ached to be pressed against the tree, to feel that battle-hardened body against his own, to taste the king's tongue inside his mouth.

"I was right. Peaches," Thranduil murmured, then he slid his hand around the back of Lindir's neck and kissed him deeper. The feeling of Lindir's fingers in his hair, of the way the minstrel's body arched against him, it reawakened a long-dormant passion. "Touch me," he whispered as their mouths separated, and he felt Lindir's long fingers on his back. "Valar, how I want you," he murmured against the minstrel's lips.

"And I want you, my king," Lindir replied. "So very badly." He closed his eyes as Thranduil's strong hand slid inside his tunic and came to rest over his heart.

"It beats fast, like a rabbit's," he said quietly. "Is that from fear or from desire?"

"I do not fear you, Thranduil," Lindir whispered. "I think I am in love with you."

"Mmm... be sure, my songbird. For when I lose my heart, I will lose it completely."

"I am sure," Lindir answered. "I am in love with you."

"I will not have our first night of lovemaking be against a tree in Fangorn Forest," Thranduil said, pulling Lindir's hands over his head and pinning him against the trunk. "Though I will admit that it holds a certain . . . decadent appeal."

Lindir laughed softly. "I will do my best to be patient, my lord."

"Yes, do that, for I fear you may have to be patient enough for the both of us."

"If you will not have me here, there is still something I can give you."

Thranduil watched as Lindir's wrists slipped from his grasp and the minstrel's fingers began working the laces on his breeches. He planted his hands against the tree and closed his eyes as Lindir's long fingers grasped his arousal. His eyelids fluttered closed as his soon-to-be-lover expertly worked his length. "By the Valar, I had no idea..."

Lindir laughed huskily. "Do not forget, my lord. I am older than you."

Thranduil canted his head and bestowed a lick to the point of Lindir's ear. "That feels so good," he whispered.

Lindir drew a ragged breath, and then gasped as Thranduil's hand slid inside his own leggings, mimicking his motion. "I want you, so badly," Lindir whispered. "I want to taste you, feel your skin against my own, feel you inside me..."

Thranduil leaned closer, thrusting into Lindir's grip as he intensified the motion of his own hand upon the Noldo's arousal. "You will have what you want; I will take you and claim you for my own. No other will dare look upon you, as you will be mine."

A tear slipped down Lindir's cheek. "Yes, that is what I want."

"I love you, Lindir, so much that I can barely breathe, so much that I would kill anyone who so much as cast you an ill glance. You are my sun and moon, my earth and stars; you are my world."

Lindir strangled a cry as he came, burying his face in Thranduil's thick, silky, honeyed mane, clasping his Sinda King to his chest. "For so long I have wanted to hear those words spoken to me," he whispered through his tears.

Thranduil's release came hard upon Lindir's own, and he leaned heavily against the slight Noldo. "I will speak them to you everyday for the rest of your life, my love."

"Valar, how I love you," Lindir whispered.

Thranduil smiled. "And I love you."

* * * *

"Have preparations been made to your liking?" Glorfindel asked with a smile as he watched Erestor pour over a list for Elrond and Celebrían's wedding.

"I still have to speak with the gardeners about the courtyard, and the cooks about the food, and the musicians about..."

Glorfindel chuckled. "It is comforting to know that some things never change."

Erestor looked up at his lover and smiled. "I suppose I have done enough this day. There is still a week left to prepare."

"Most excellent," Glorfindel replied with a smile, "for I have plans for you this eve."

Erestor raised an eyebrow. "You do? And what would those plans be?"

"Plans that require you to change out of that drab attire and go for a walk with me."

Erestor rose from his chair and rounded the desk. "Drab? I think these robes are fitting given my station."

"Yes, yes, whatever you say, my love. But they are not fitting for what I have planned."

"I suppose a loincloth and wrist cuffs are fitting for what you have planned."

Glorfindel snorted. "You love those wrist cuffs."

Erestor snaked his arms around Glorfindel's waist. "Mmm... yes, I do, especially when you are the one wearing them."

"Wicked, councilor. You are unapologetically wicked."

Erestor winked and placed a lingering kiss upon the Elda's lips.

"Now, go to our chambers and change your garments. I have left an appropriate robe upon the bed. Time and tide wait for no one."

"Yes, my lion." He left his makeshift office and climbed the stairs to their chambers.

* * * *

"I knew you had something wicked planned," Erestor murmured as Glorfindel carried him up a hill. "Why am I blindfolded?"

"Because it is a surprise."

"Why are we outside?"

Glorfindel stopped climbing as they reached the top of a steep hill and he set his lover down. He removed the blindfold as he said, "Because they could not come inside."

Erestor blinked and grasped Glorfindel's wrist. "Sweet Eru," he breathed.

Perched on the hilltop before him were two massive Eagles.

"This is Gwaihir, and this is Landroval. Apart from you, they are the ones who love me best."

Erestor bowed his head in awe.

"They were fathered by Thorondor, the winged friend who took my body to rest when I died long ago. They have looked after me since my return, and they have come to bear witness of our love back to Manwë." Erestor turned and looked at Glorfindel. "Both my parents and your own are in Aman, so I asked them to witness our bonding and bear tidings back to our families in the Undying Lands."

Erestor felt tears well in his eyes as he covered his mouth. "You . . . you want to bond with me? Now?"

"Of course I do. We have loved one another for an age, I see no need for formal courtship."

"And you asked them to witness it?"

"Aye, them and one other." Glorfindel motioned to Elrond, who stood close by. "They love me, and I love them. They, and Elrond, are as near to family as I have here in Middle-earth."

"Oh, Glorfindel," Erestor breathed as he threw his arms around the Elda's neck. "Never, in all of my wildest dreams did I ever imagine anyone would do something this special, this spectacular, for me."

Glorfindel held Erestor tightly. "It is not half as much as you deserve."

Erestor moved to where Elrond stood. "I owe you so much, my lord," he said softly.

Elrond smiled. "My payment is in your happiness, Erestor. It is an honor to witness your bonding."

Erestor smiled broadly as his lord embraced him, and then he took his place beside Glorfindel. This moment was the culmination of all his hopes and dreams to that point. He had earned a place of honor in Elrond's household, he had proven to himself and to those he loved that he was worthy of it, and now he had the one he had loved nearly his whole life by his side.

They stood hand in hand, gazing into one another's eyes under Ithil's light, and promised to love and honor one another until the ending of time. Glorfindel slipped an intricately carved golden band upon Erestor's finger, then gave Erestor one just like it to place on his own. The great birds watched and witnessed their promise, then with soft cries, rose into the air and bore the tale West to the Lord of the Valar, who would bless their union. Elrond also gave his blessing, and then left the two lovers alone.

* * * *

They finally arrived in the glade that was home to Thranduil and what remained of his folk. When he could get Gildor away from his son, Thranduil had queried the elf lord about the likelihood that he would be able to keep his borders secure when so many had either sailed or died. The news was not what he had hoped to hear, the glade where they lived offered no natural protection but the trees, and required a substantial number of warriors to form a perimeter. However, Gildor promised to reassess the situation upon their arrival.

Thranduil knew of lands further to the north, where there were tall hills and an underground river. He had long thought of carving a dwelling there beneath the hills in the fashion of the home of his father, Menegroth. Gildor had also lived in caves as a young warrior, and Thranduil imagined the elf lord would be helpful to him in the building as well. He was responsible for his people now, for their well-being and safety, and he would do whatever was in his power to see that they remained safe as long as they stayed in Middle-earth, even if that meant surrendering the southern part of the forest and their homes in the trees.

He slung his pack over his shoulder and greeted those who came to welcome him home. He introduced Lindir to his closest advisers and friends, and chuckled as Legolas introduced Gildor, boasting to his friends that his new best friend was a renowned warrior.

He stood at the base of a massive tree, holding Lindir's hand and looking up at the flet that had been his home for many years.

"Up there is my bed," he said softly.

Lindir looked up as well. "It is far above the ground."

Thranduil grinned. "You Noldor, always with your feet planted firmly on the ground. It is safe and strong, and will provide us with seclusion and a soft bed under the stars in which to make love." He leaned into his lover. "I have noticed that you no longer limp, so climbing the ladder should not be a problem."

Lindir chuckled. "Nay, my lord; that affliction was healed as soon as I joined you." He smiled. "I assure you, I can climb a ladder."

"Well then, up with you. I will carry your pack, you just get yourself up there without falling."

Lindir smiled and handed Thranduil his pack, then began climbing the rope ladder.

*****

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